The origin of the well documented discrepancy between maximum voluntary and in vitro tetanic
eccentric strength has yet to be fully understood. This study aimed to determine whether surface
EMG measurements can be used to reproduce the in vitro tetanic force – velocity relationship from
maximum voluntary contractions. Five subjects performed maximal knee extensions over a range
of eccentric and concentric velocities on an isovelocity dynamometer whilst EMG from the
quadriceps were recorded. Maximum voluntary (MVC) force – length – velocity data were
estimated from the dynamometer measurements and a muscle model. Normalised amplitude –
length – velocity data were obtained from the EMG signals. Dividing the MVC forces by the
normalised amplitudes generated EMG corrected force – length – velocity data. The goodness of
fit of the in vitro tetanic force – velocity function to the MVC and EMG corrected forces was
assessed. Based on a number of comparative scores the in vitro tetanic force – velocity function
provided a significantly better fit to the EMG corrected forces compared to the MVC forces
(p ≤ 0.05), Furthermore, the EMG corrected forces generated realistic in vitro tetanic force –
velocity profiles. A 58 ± 19% increase in maximum eccentric strength is theoretically achievable
through eliminating neural factors. In conclusion, EMG amplitude can be used to estimate in vitro
tetanic forces from maximal in vivo force measurements, supporting neural factors as the major
contributor to the difference between in vitro and in vivo maximal force.